Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat

Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat

  • Display 5-inch touchscreen with selectable idle-screen colors and styles
  • Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz; supports 802.11ax/ac/a/b/g/n wireless routers
  • Smart-home standards Matter certified; compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home
  • App control Remote control through the First Alert app
  • Doorbell compatibility First Alert VX1 and Ring streaming video doorbells
  • Room sensor compatibility Honeywell Home Room Sensors, sold separately
  • HVAC support Up to 3 heat/2 cool heat-pump systems with electric backup, or 2 heat/2 cool conventional systems
  • Supported system types Hot-water heat and forced-air systems using gas, oil, or electric heating
  • Not supported 120–240 V electric baseboard heat
  • Indoor air-quality controls Humidity and ventilation control; additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required
  • Occupancy detection Built-in occupancy and presence detection
  • Power wiring C-wire required; package includes a voucher for a Honeywell Home C-Wire Adapter by mail at no cost if needed
  • Energy certification ENERGY STAR certified

The Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat makes the thermostat feel less like a beige wall fixture and more like a useful part of the home. Its large, customizable display is easy to glance at, and choosing a look that suits the room is a small but welcome touch in a category that rarely gets accused of having personality.

The X8S’s most distinctive trick is its connection to compatible video doorbells. When someone arrives, you can see who’s there and talk with them from the thermostat—a neat convenience when your phone is elsewhere or your hands are full. It also brings temperature, humidity and ventilation controls together in one place, helping you manage comfort beyond simply nudging the heat up or down.

Occupancy sensing can adjust the home’s settings as people come and go, while remote control through the First Alert app makes it easy to check in when you’re away. The thermostat also fits into smart-home routines with popular voice assistants and Matter, so it can work alongside other connected devices rather than demanding that your home revolve around one app.

At $217.80, the Honeywell Home X8S is aimed at shoppers who want more than basic scheduling: a polished smart thermostat, convenient doorbell access and broader control over the home environment. Before buying, check that your heating and cooling system is compatible; installation may require a C-wire, and some systems or air-quality features may need additional equipment. Doorbell cameras and room sensors are sold separately.

Pros

  • The large touchscreen and customizable idle screen make this smart thermostat easy to read and feel more at home in a modern living space.
  • Matter support and compatibility with major voice assistants give the Honeywell Home X8S flexibility as smart-home setups evolve.
  • Viewing compatible doorbell video from the thermostat can make it more convenient to check visitors without reaching for a phone.
  • Optional room sensors and built-in occupancy detection can help tailor comfort to how rooms are actually used.
  • Humidity and ventilation controls add useful indoor-comfort options beyond basic temperature scheduling.
  • ENERGY STAR certification and app-based control make it easier to monitor and adjust heating and cooling habits.

Cons

  • A C-wire is required, so installation may involve extra work; the included adapter voucher helps, but it may mean waiting for a mailed part.
  • Room sensors and any additional equipment needed for air-quality controls are sold separately, which can raise the total cost.
  • The Honeywell Home X8S is not suitable for 120–240 V electric baseboard heating, limiting its charm for some homes.
  • Its broad feature set may take time to configure, especially when connecting smart-home platforms, sensors, and compatible doorbells.